(I love how he cares for her!)

Our 2012 Christmas season has been in full swing for over a month now. I’ve been so busy that I haven’t had time to even sit, much less blog, but if you’re on Instagram or even Facebook, you’ve seen the bits and pieces of our festivities.

I put out decorations up the week before Thanksgiving. My in-laws come every year and we do our Christmas with them so I like to have at least a few decorations out. A few things turned into everything. But I was so glad I did, because it made the Christmas portion of our Thanksgiving weekend feel so real.

We worked hard at school the next couple weeks to finish everything so we would have plenty of time to play and craft and wrap. We had Christmas plays to prepare for and lots of fun to be had.

The Girl’s Christmas play was great. She had the sweetest little solo and two dance solos. I know I’m completely biased but she absolutely stole the show!! I can’t quite wrap my brain around how much she’s grown up this last year. She went from my LITTLE girl to my GIRL.

As that play wrapped up, sickness descended upon my kids. The Girl had strep (along with half the cast of her play apparently). The Boy had an ear infection. The Baby was fine until two days ago when she decided to join the fun. I think she’s just teething.

The sickness wiped out our week. We missed Christmas parties, crafting, baking, wrapping. I’m not gonna lie, it was tough, buuuttt we also watched a ton of movies (Christmas and non-Christmas) and spent hours upon hours snuggling. So it wasn’t all a bust.

This past Thursday was The Boy’s preschool Christmas program. Listen. There is nothing in this world as cute as a 4 year old dressed up in a bathrobe and not singing Christmas carols! My boy did not disappoint! He was a shepherd. In a bathrobe. And did not sing. It was awesome!!!

We spent the rest of the day finishing the last of our shopping and wrapping. Friday morning was our Christmas morning. Second only to a 4yo in a bathrobe not singing is a kid on Christmas morning. My kids are just plain fun!!! Every gift The Girl opened was met with a long, drawn out “whhhhhaaaatttt????” It was hilarious.

Yesterday we packed. I packed. All. Day. Long. Well not really but I thought about packing all day long and for anyone who knows me well that’s just about as good as actually packing. I have many many issues when it comes to packing. Now is not the time nor the place to discuss those issues but in the end I did get everyone packed up without losing my sanity. So score!

My reward: The Holiday. Oh how I love that movie. Cameron+Jude=perfection. Kate+Jack=perfection. Oh!!! It’s just all perfection. I could watch that movie a hundred times a year and never get sick of it.

This morning we had church of course. There’s no where else I’d rather be at Christmas. For the first time in many, many years we won’t be at the candlelit Christmas Eve service. I will definitely miss it. It one of my most treasured traditions of the entire holiday season. This morning was my Christmas Eve service (minus the candle light and fancy attire). (Although The Baby did wear The Girl’s first Christmas dress. The Girl was just 8 months old when she wore it and today The Baby is almost 14 months old. I think it was even a little big on her today too.)

My man did Ray Charles’ The Spirit of Christmas. You know the one from Christmas Vacation when Chevy Chase locks himself in the attic and watches old movies while wearing a fur wrap, pink satin gloves and a turban. More perfection.

And now we’re on the road. We’re headed to my parents’ house in Knoxville TN. For the first time in 5 or 6 years I get to spend Christmas with them and my sister. I am soooo excited!!!

After Christmas we’ll hit the road again and head to Dallas TX for The World Mission Summit. Imagine thousands of college students gathering to learn and experience missions. All of my life’s greatest passions (minus my littles) wrapped up in one giant conference. I. Am. So. Excited. I will be posting more as we go and put up some links for you inquisitive ones who want to know more. But I’m on my phone and there’s only so much one can do on a phone.

So now I’ve caught you up on our holidays. I will post more. Promise. I’m on vacation so I will get the time to post.

Merry Christmas!!